Red River Shootout Takes Center Stage

DALLAS -- Sure, there are other games in the Big 12 this weekend.

Every conference team plays and their games will count just as much in the standings. Those other five games Saturday just won't get as much attention as the Red River Shootout, especially with No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 5 Texas undefeated.

The league's other coaches know that, and understand it.

"Whenever those two teams play, everybody else takes a back seat," Colorado coach Gary Barnett said Monday. "If you want that kind of attention, you build your program to that kind of level. Those two teams deserve that kind of attention. That game deserves that kind of attention. The rest of us just need to get to that level."

Sooners Set for Texas | Gameday Central | J.D. Runnels' Journal

Oklahoma and Texas both got through three non-conference games, then the Big 12 openers on Saturday, without a loss. This is the third time in four years both teams are undefeated and ranked in the top five when they meet.

There are plenty of implications for the winner: regional bragging rights, front-running status in the Big 12 South and likely the overall conference title. Not to mention the Bowl Championship Series and possible national title.

"There are a lot of good matchups week in and week out. This is one of the marquee matchups, two teams playing at a high level," Kansas coach Mark Mangino said. "Any rivalry game, when both teams are playing at a high level and with unblemished records, tends to grab the national eye."

And that's good for the Big 12.

"It brings recognition. For two of the best programs to be doing that for our conference, it doesn't hurt a bit," Iowa State coach Dan McCarney said.

Oklahoma has won four straight in the game at the Cotton Bowl, where the stands are equally split between Sooners and Longhorns fans. The Sooners won 65-13 last year. The streak began with a 63-14 win in 2000.

"It's an incredibly exciting atmosphere, and you look forward to the competition of it," said Sooners coach Bob Stoops.

Despite the recent dominance, Stoops doesn't believe the Sooners have a "number" on Texas, which actually leads the series 55-38-5.

"Past success doesn't guarantee future success," he said. "You have to go out and earn it every time. Our staff understands that, our players understand that."

Stoops and Texas coach Mack Brown agree that when you're competing for conference and national championships, every game is big and a must-win.

"We know how good the Oklahoma program has continued to thrive under Bob Stoops. This Oklahoma team is just as good as the ones of the past three or four years," Brown said.<

Another Rivalry
Well, not much of a rivalry lately between instate rivals Kansas State and Kansas.

The only game this week matching two North Division teams head-to-head is the instate rivalry that Kansas State has dominated.

"We have to prove Saturday that the KU-Kansas State rivalry is still a good matchup," Kansas coach Mark Mangino said. "We haven't held up our end of the deal in recent years."

Kansas has a 61-35-5 series lead, but Kansas State has won all eight games since moving to the Big 12. The Wildcats have won by an average margin of 49-8 in that span, 42-6 last year.

But Kansas State (2-2) is coming off a 42-30 loss at Texas A&M.

"We have made some headway in several areas -- mostly, intrinsic things," Wildcats coach Bill Snyder said. "We have been playing with a great deal more of spirit and emotion, and the effort is better."<

After Midnight
Missouri and Baylor almost certainly will end their game after the clock strikes midnight Saturday. Kickoff for the televised game is 9 p.m.

"A good crowd and national TV audience Saturday night will be good motivation for us. It makes for a long day, but you can't turn down that kind of opportunity," Baylor coach Guy Morriss said, "Especially for recruiting when trying to build a program."

Missouri gets another chance on TV, having made quite a recovery since faltering Sept. 9 at fledgling Division I-A program Troy State. The Tigers have won their last two games, 48-0 over Ball State and 17-9 over Colorado in their Big 12 opener.<

Quick Kicks
Oklahoma State CB Darrent Williams had six stitches in his finger and a "healthy bruise" on his forearm. That's all coach Les Miles would say, not confirming reports that Williams has a broken forearm and could be out several weeks. ...

With a three-game winning streak since a 41-21 loss at Utah, Texas A&M has validated how it felt after that opener. "When that game was over, everybody felt we were better than what we illustrated that evening," coach Dennis Franchione said. ...

Texas Tech QB Sonny Cumbie is the nation's leading passer with 417 yards per game, but has 11 interceptions with 11 touchdowns. Coach Mike Leach said there have been some "freakish" turnovers, with three or four interceptions tipped by the Red Raiders. ...

Nebraska has won all seven previous games against Texas Tech. It's the only Big 12 team the Red Raiders haven't beaten. "It has no significance what was accomplished in the past," Cornhuskers coach Bill Callahan said. "The only thing we can control is the present."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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